Chaotic Systems

Some systems are deterministic, yet largely unpredictable. We call these systems "chaotic".

Follow this link to try a chaotic computer simulation called "Life".
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Exercises: Try to make a line of "cells" of varying lengths. How does their behavior differ?
Make a line of cells, whose behavior you can predict. Try adding single cells near this line. Can you find locations where the extra cell changes the future behavior of the system? Can you find locations where the extra cell does not change the future behavior of the system?

Weather Forecasting

A video segment...

Hurricane Forecasting

Try this simulation to see if hurricane formation is a "chaotic system".